Transformation begins on the walls.
People often ask how art fits alongside my work as a writer, coach, and speaker. I used to wonder that too, but it fits more naturally than I ever imagined. It’s about transformation showing up as personal expression, identity and worth.
Everything I create—through words, conversations, stages, or canvas—is designed to help women stop settling and start creating A Life Worth Having. Through art, I discovered that transformation isn’t only internal—it also shows up in the spaces we create around us. That realization inspired my free guide, 7 Steps to Personal Sanctuary, created to help you name where you may be selling yourself short and empower you to design spaces—and a life—that reflect who you’re becoming.
My artwork is deeply influenced by emotion, nature, travel, and story. From soothing layers of texture to bold marks, movement, and graffiti-inspired symbolism—what I call a secret language of the heart—each piece invites personal connection.
I divide my work into four main collections: Gestures, Expressions, Textures, and Impressions. I invite you to explore and discover what speaks to you or jump straight to what’s currently available.
Why I Love Doing Commissions
The commission process is a challenge of interpretation and response. I LOVE working directly with a client to ask lots of questions so I can thoroughly understand not only what they want something to look like, but also what they need it to feel like.
I love the challenge of solving that puzzle, while relaxing into the flow of intuitive creating. Some artists dread commissions, or won't do them at all. Not me. I LOVE them — but I think I already said that.
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Commission Stories
A look inside a few custom pieces created for collectors' homes — the questions, the process, and the surprises that unfolded along the way.
Julie's Joy
A gallery client wanted something to capture their love of sunrises, sunsets and mountains and gave me the liberty to let creative inspiration flow for the ultimate abstract scene. I often start with a scripture dedication based on where a painting might hang, in this case their bedroom, so I chose a blessing for their sleep. I put out the colors on my palette and then just start and see what wants to happen.
I expected to make a beachy sunrise or sunset scene when all of a sudden, the mountains showed up. This is the essence of my spiritual practice of painting. I am the tool and I listen for each next step and enjoy watching a painting create itself, with my hand. I always feel a little nervous to show the client the result, but I felt pretty confident Julie would be happy, based on all our talks beforehand. Hugs and squeals are always a great sign and this one did not disappoint. What a feeling and honor to be trusted with someone's sacred space.
“The apprehension of me “letting go” (as I’m very “Type A”) to have a special custom piece created for our sanctuary quickly vanished upon the reveal. Angela, you nailed this on every expectation and beyond. You listened to my requests and loves, took into account all of the colors and lighting for the room, and completely understood my vision. This forever special art brought me JOY on the reveal day and will continue to bring us JOY everyday in the future! You are so talented and made this process so simple. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
The Toughest Commission Ever
A gallery client purchased Moment to Savor, 24×30. They needed it to be twice as wide (48×30) and commissioned me to paint “the other half.” Instead of loosely using another painting as a commission inspiration, this one was going to hang next to a painting I had done four years prior, and they needed to look like they were created together as a diptych. Whew! No pressure! Thankfully, I keep color recipes and notes on my paintings, but that doesn't account for the magic that happens from palette to canvas, when colors merge in unique ways, or a palette knife still has paint on it when I grab another color. Let the work begin!
I started this commission using an unfinished painting (a painting start that I had never gone back to) that happened to be the right size and undertones. It had to get really ugly first, as I added the other colors that needed to be layered in. A “neutral” painting often has a surprising amount of color that helps it connect better with its surroundings.
The creative process of just showing up to the easel and taking the next indicated move worked! I am so pleased with how it turned out and thankfully, so is the client. Once a 24×30, Moment to Savoris now a 48×30 diptych hanging alongside its 2022 commissioned partner, Moment to Savor II.
A Serendipitous Commission
For this commission, I worked with gallery clients who wanted to purchase my 36×36 painting, Coffee Date, but it was too tall to go over their fireplace. They loved the colors and boldness of this piece and needed something equally exciting, but in a shorter height. We embarked on the commission process and pure magic happened.
We did a consultation over zoom and I asked all the questions, such as, “What do you love about Coffee Dateand what do you NOT love? What needs to be different?” They said, “Nothing. We would have bought it on the spot had it been the right size.” I explained that their commissioned piece could be similar, but it wouldn't be a duplicate. The clients were good with that, as long as it was “in the family” and bold like Coffee Date.
As I worked on this piece, I noticed that various musical elements began to appear. I felt like I was creating a jazz piece. I trusted the process and let its story unfold. When I began to consider what to name it, Concierto No. 1 just popped into my head. With that name, I knew for sure that someone in the family must have musical talent or connections.
When the painting was picked up, the gallery consultant asked them if anyone in the family was musically-inclined. The husband said, “Oh yes, I am. I'm also one of the directors of music at Vanderbilt University.” Is that crazy or what? This is why I love making art. There is a spiritual component in the creative process who loves to delight and surprise us. In addition to having a beautiful, custom piece in their home, my sweet clients will always know this creation unfolded just for them.
Navy Pier at Midnight
I am blessed to have many wonderful collectors. One particular client of my home gallery has purchased and commissioned quite a few pieces from me. To add to her collection, she had chosen two other paintings of mine and needed another to complete a trio in her stairwell. The tricky part was how to add a third painting that was uniquely its own, yet also could have good conversations with the other two. I think this collector holds my creative vision in very high esteem!
It took me several sessions at the easel to help the third piece find its own voice, while having enough in common with the other two. Navy Pier at Midnight 16×20 hangs below Two Step16×20 in landscape orientation, and Summer Soiree24×36 was hung on the right side of the other two, vertically.